Das Wanda

Cradled between Dolomite peaks and Mediterranean palms, Das Wanda sits quietly in the vine-cloaked village of Caldaro al Lago. A retreat for the design-conscious and nature-led, this villa-hotel blends South Tyrolean soul with a whisper of Elban nostalgia. The name Wanda harks back to a family guesthouse on the island of Elba, a sun-bleached memory reimagined here in gentle lines, tonal interiors and warm, personal hospitality.

Das Wanda is shaped by the rhythms of South Tyrol. Its architecture and interiors are guided by a deep respect for place, material honesty and the passage of light. The original villa has been carefully restored, with clean lines, shaded terraces and a softened modernism that leans into the surrounding landscape rather than against it. Lime-rendered façades, native stone, porphyry and larch wood root the structure in the Alpine-Mediterranean setting.

Inside, the mood is quiet and tactile. Blonde oak floors meet brushed cement and clay-toned walls. Hemp linen, tufted cushions and soft grey textiles lend warmth to the natural palette. Every element has been chosen with care, from hand-crafted furniture made by regional artisans to the scent of local botanicals in the steam sauna and bath amenities. There is no excess, only a thoughtful coherence that connects indoors to out.

Family-owned and deeply personal, Das Wanda feels more like a lived-in home than a hotel. It is adult-only, gently luxurious and curated with care, offering the kind of stillness that is increasingly rare. Whether you stay for a weekend or drift into something longer, Das Wanda gives you the space to disconnect from noise and reconnect with yourself. It is a place to return to, season after season.

Vineyard Slumbers

Twelve individually styled suites anchor the experience at Das Wanda, each shaped by natural materials and a calm spatial language. Floors are warmed by oak, walls carry the soft tones of clay, and wide windows open onto apple orchards, vineyards and forested hills. Some suites feature deep corner bathtubs with views across the vines, while others have elevated balconies facing the Dolomites.

The six studios offer a more independent rhythm. Each includes a fully equipped kitchenette, generous living space and either a private terrace or shaded loggia, ideal for longer stays. The palette remains familiar throughout, with the same attention to craft, light and stillness.

Chillaxing - Pool & Spa

Two pools offer different moods across the seasons. The indoor spa pool, quiet and contemplative, looks onto the vineyard rows beyond, with dark stone surrounds and a Kneipp-inspired steam sauna infused with South Tyrolean herbs. Outside, the garden pool is edged with rosemary, palms and slender cypresses, framed by mountain views and Mediterranean greenery. Both invite you to pause and immerse.

A Morning Ritual

Breakfast at Das Wanda is a celebration of South Tyrolean seasonality. Served slowly and with care, it includes alpine cheeses, orchard fruit, golden-yolked eggs, creamy yoghurt and homemade preserves. All this unfolds with a view over olive groves and vineyard slopes. Later in the day, the honesty bar becomes a gathering spot, and the owners, Verena and Michael, are always ready with quiet recommendations for a glass of wine or a hidden local table.

Caldaro: Between Vines and Sky

Just twelve kilometres south of Bolzano, the vine-covered village of Caldaro is where Alpine stillness meets Italian sun. Known for its wines, Lake Kaltern and rolling hills, this is a place of contrasts and continuity. Wild swimming, forest trails, historic churches and slow market days create a rhythm that feels entirely your own. The Dolomites rise in the distance, lending their quiet weight to the view.

A Family Vision

Verena Huf, who personally designed Das Wanda, brings an instinctive balance of modern design and deep-rooted regional sensitivity. Her vision is quiet but precise, shaped by a childhood spent between the mountains of South Tyrol and sunlit summers at her grandfather’s guesthouse on Elba, the original Villa Wanda. Alongside her partner Michael, Verena continues the family tradition of hospitality with warmth, discretion and local soul.

Together, they have created more than a hotel. Das Wanda feels lived in and intentional, where every element, from the studio layout to the breakfast ritual, carries a sense of purpose and place. Their presence is felt not through formality, but through thoughtful gestures and a genuine connection to the land and community around them.